Porter-cable - drill, 18 volt

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I bought the PC180DK-2 at Lowes about a year ago. Honestly, I was really impressed with this drill. I'm a machine tool technician. I use this cordless drill everyday on the job. It's main duty is removing and reinstalling screws, bolts and any kind of screw fastener. I have to say this the strongest "torquest" drill I've ever used. There were a few times when I forgot to turn the torque down (I was in Drill mode) when this thing just about broke my wrist off. The two batteries hold a charge for a long time and recharging is pretty quick.

The environment I work in can get pretty nasty. These machines use coolants and lubricants. This stuff can get all over my drill especially around the hand grip.

What I found after about 9 months was the rubber material they used in manufacturing the grip was starting to come off from getting wet all the time. This is something that happens on a lot of drills not just the PC180. I just peeled off the rubber pieces that were flapping in the wind and moved on.

If you asked me a month ago if I would buy another PC180DK, the answer would have been an absolute YES. But here it comes; in the last week or so the two batteries will not stay locked on to the drill. I examined the drill to see if something had broken off but it looks fine. I'll be using it and suddenly the battery unlocks itself and in some cases it comes right off the drill and hits the floor. It has gotten to the point where I am duct taping the battery to the drill body. It appears that the spring locks on the batteries are giving it up. The spring tension isn't like it use to be. So in conclusion, this drill would be probably ok around the house but I'm not going to buy another for the type of work I do. Porter-Cable PC180DK-2 18-Volt NiCd Drill/Driver Kit

I purchased this at Lowes a few months back for home/weekend warrior use. It's fantastic, tons of torque. As mentioned by others, the light isn't the most useful because it's blocked the chuck. Although it's handy as a quick flashlight as needed (you can squeeze the trigger just enough to turn on the light but not start the chuck turning). For a weekend warrior, no hesitation. Yeah, you're paying less because it's NiCad instead of Lithium Ion, but if you take care of the batteries (do a full discharge/recharge, unlike lithium ion which is meant to be "topped off" regularly) you should be fine.



It was rated very highly, if not #1 in its category, by consumer reports as I recall.

I'd used this drill on masonry job without problems. Good performance for good price. Would be better if total weight was lower. Good power and torque. Gear box and clutch are decent for this price class. Battery endurance is very good. Best value drill.

I'm really happy with this drill. I only have one quibble: The LED that shows your work area in the dark is partially occluded by the chuck, so there's always a little shadow. Aside from that, it's great.

This drill replaced a 5 yr old 12V drill that recently died. Having the two speeds to choose from is great so I can set the drill and torque appropriately. It's a bit heave than my other drill, so that is why I only gave 4 stars. However, I don't plan on using it over my head for extended periods of time. Used it to install an outside dryer vent cover to brick and the it cut through like butter. Also used it to hang curtain rods. Very pleased with my purchase.

Works as advertised. Nice carrying case, drill seems well crafted. Charger and batteries connect and charge well. Have had the drill only a few days so it is too early to tell how well it will stand up over time.

My old B&D drill /driver batteries gave out and it had served me well for many years. Time for a new drill/driver. I wanted one that would have a better battery life. I reviewed these products on Consumer Reports and the PC unit came recommended. I love having the led light and the unit has worked great and the battery lasts a long time. Not the cheapest unit out there but buying quality pays off in both the long and short term with more productivity and less problems.

I purchased this drill (along with the circular saw, reciprocating saw, and light) in a combo pack at Lowes a couple of years ago ($189). The drill itself is reasonably powerful for not being a hammer drill, so you can expect to enjoy a fair amount of torque for just a drill/driver. I ended up using this drill for an assortment of activities: hanging sheetrock, driving sheetmetal screws into HVAC piping, hanging cabinets, etc. For the time that I was using it, it performed well, but the forward/reverse control ended up wearing down over time, and it didn't take any special shock to break, such that I could no longer use my drill in the forward direction. On the Black and Decker scale of tools they manufacture, this drill would probably go in the middle between their cheap "Black and Decker" products, and their quality brand "DeWalt". As such, the forward/reverse control on this drill took much longer to break than a Black and Decker drill that was being used only casually.



Another note - the batteries seem to charge fairly fast originally, but after a while, they'll take longer to charge - up to a few hours. Also, the price here on Amazon is decent, but not too impressive. If you aim to get a drill, do so shortly before Father's day at Lowes, and you'll likely be able to get this same model for $39, or for the same price, you can get the drill in the set with the circular saw.



Bottom Line - If you work professionally, and are going to be using this drill a lot, don't get it. Upgrade to a Milwaukee, DeWalt, or Makita, or some equally respectable brand, because you'll end up saving money in the long run. A benefit of this kit is the wide assortment of attachments that go with these batteries (sanders, grinders, impact drivers, reciprocating and circular saws, spiral saws, etc.), so if you're looking for a cheap assortment of battery tools, this is a good bet, so long as you don't work any of them too hard. - 18 Volt - Porter-cable - Power Tools - Drill'

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Ghost Towns - ghost towns, west

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Raymond Bial attempts a monumental task- tracing the history of ghost towns in a children's book. He does not succeed. The book is populated with some lovely color photography of a couple of ghost towns in the American west. The text is easy to read, better for children eight and up. Quoting Mark Twain is always a surefire way to endear an author to this reader, and Bial does this on a couple of occasions. According to the book, Twain once wrote of Virginia City, Nevada: "If a man wanted a fight on his hands without any annoying delay, all he had to do was to appear in public in a white shirt or stove-pipe hat, and he would be accomodated." The book fails in its one main objective- a history of ghost towns. Bial uses so many generalities, but few examples, that some kids might feel like they are being talked down to, especially considering the book's bold title. Bial also glosses over the violence of the west, sugar coating Billy the Kid, and the gunfight at the OK Corral. Instead, Bial writes of phantoms roaming the abandoned sites, as if everyone should take the term "ghost town" literally, and murder and mayhem is swept under the rug. No, I do not think your kids need to see crime scene photos, but ignoring the violent past would give children a false sense of what many people went through back then. We do learn life was rough, and death comes quickly, but I found the book to be just as dry and empty as the towns Bial attempts to describe. The photographs are nice, until further reading in the credits indicate that only a couple of places were photographed, ghost towns that are now tourist destinations. The book is under fifty pages, maybe Bial should have concentrated his subject to in-depth profiles of a couple of ghost towns, instead of jumping from the Gold Rush of 1849 to George Custer to Wild Bill Hickok, without any chance to put these historical events and figures in context. Women and children are mentioned, but kids may have been able to associate more with the book if children's lives in these towns one hundred years ago had been explored. Bial claims there are tens of thousands of ghost towns spread across all fifty states, yet he only mentions a few in passing. "Ghost Towns of the American West" is a very average children's book. Kids interested in history or cowboys might be better off finding another source. Raymond Bial tries to put too much in, not realizing he never comes up with enough. Ghost Towns of the American West (Historical and Old West)

"Ghost Towns of the American West" is an introduction to the ghost town experience. Raymond Bial effectively communicates the history and mystique of these testaments to American tenacity. He explains how many of these towns are remnants of the boom and bust economics of the early West. Like Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane, some of the famous Western characters are discussed. The violence of such towns is well documented. Without being melodramatic, the eerie quality of the ghost town is described. As would be expected from a book for young readers, brothels are omitted. It is the illustrations that make this book stand out. The poetic photographs are eye candy. A couple of historical images are shown, but most of the photos portray modern day ghost towns through a nostalgic filter. The verso indicates that most of the shots are from Arizona's Goldfield, Apacheland and Old Tuscon ghost towns. The text is good for readers of at least a fourth grade reading level. While "Ghost Towns" has fifty pages, the text is relatively brief given the large and lush use of photographs. With humor, drama and historical authenticity, Raymond Bail effectively captured the essence of the American ghost town. - Ghost Towns - West - Arizona'

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Small Magnetic Dry Erase Board - dry erase, dryerase

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I ordered 5 of these for my office, and will most likely have 5 of these in the garbage within a few months. First off - these look nice out of the box, with the shelf for markers and have a easy guide for hanging on the wall. However, all 5 of the board we recieved where crooked, like they were put together incorrectly. When one side of the board was touching the wall, the other would stick about an inch out. I figured that with some velcro I could easily fix the issue.



However, the biggest issue arose when trying to use the board for writing on - multiple times. I will also preface this comment by saying that I used brand new expo dry erase markers and expo dry erase board cleaner. After one use with a standard blue color, I simply could not remove the marker. I tried the standard dry erase board eraser and it just smeared the writing across the board, staining it. When I tried to remove it with cleaner - nothing happened. I now have a once-used, very blue board, with no way of cleaning it. I have included pictures with this review as well to support this.



I would not recommend these at all as they are a very poor product Dry-Erase Board, Melamine, 36 x 24, White, Satin-Finished Aluminum Frame

Ordered this board on Tuesday and got it on Thursday. The board was well packaged and I didn't notice any damage to either the board or the package. My only problem with the board is that the plastic border around it is a bit flimsy (but then again it's a $20 board so I won't argue).



And you also have to be careful how you place, because initially while reorganizing my room I threw it on top of a book on a floor overnight and the board look warped the next day. Not a problem though - I fastened the board flat with packaging tape to the wall, where it now sits perfectly.



I used Expo low odor markers to write on it and didn't have problems at all with erasing. I sometimes leave notes on the board for up to a week and after erasing with the eraser (without using any cleaner fluid)- I don't see any residue.



Overall, great board, great price. Think I'm going to order another one, but slightly larger for office use.

I teach private classes for screenwriters and television writers ([...]) and I needed a quality board that all of the students would be able to see, but I wanted it to be lightweight in case I need to transport it for seminars and other events that I sometimes get invited to.



What I really like about the board is I have kept lessons up on it for over a week at a time, and erasing the board after this is not an issue. It's a good board with enough size for a room full of people to read it but not so big that it dominates an entire wall. It hangs very easily - I just have it up on screws that I drilled into the wall, and that is because it is a nice light weight.



All in all, I am very pleased with this purchase, at a good price point as well. - White Board - Dry Erase - Dryerase - Whiteboard'

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Automatic Battery Charger

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First, let me say that this charger performs flawlessly and deserves five stars when it is in charging mode. I have used it for three years and hundreds of successful charging cycles on a dozen different batteries of various sizes and types.



However, on two different occasions and with two different batteries (both brand new when hooked to the charger) I left them in "trickle charge" mode. The batteries were part of an emergency communications station that must to be ready at any time with full batteries. This charger burned up both batteries after three months of trickle charging. This mode is supposed to allow a battery to be hooked up indefinitely and maintain it at peak performance. Not destroy it. Other folks in the emergency communications service use other chargers and leave them in trickle mode for years. DO NOT use this charger for that kind of operation. Schumacher SSC-1000A SpeedCharge Battery Charger/Maintainer with 50-Amp Battery Clips

Battery chargers and I have never gotten along. I actually once sold, what turned out to be, a perfectly good old snow plow truck because I thought something serious was wrong with the engine. The charger showed the battery was good, so I figured it had to be the engine and it was too old and rusty to put more money into it. The guy came to pick it up, gave me $200...stuck a new battery in it, and drove it away. It was a bad charger not a bad battery.



Recently, using what I thought was a more reliable charger, I couldn't get my batteries to fully charge. Rather than blaming the batteries this time, I purchased the Schumacher. I read good things about the brand on the web and took the plunge. I couldn't be happier. This is a hi-tech charger with all the bells and whistles. It is "stupid proof" as well, and lets you know what is going on as it charges. I love it! I am now able to fully charge all my batteries, and the other charger went into the trash. I highly recommend this automatic speed charger.

Build Quality:

* Great build quality. Has the look and feel of a well engineered product, not some cheap stuff.

* I smiled when I lifted it first as it wasn't feather light and appeared to have decent enough weight to it - an indication of a decent power supply.

* This one seems to be rated for marine use and hence should be more resistant to corrosion.

* The connector cables are thick enough and the clamps have enough spring action/grip to them to securely lock on a battery terminal.



Design:

* Very user friendly with direct 1 touch access to most features.

* I liked the case design. Has a neat little pocket to store the power chord and the connecting cables. The chord and the cables do need to be tightly rolled up first before they can fit in the pocket.

* It's got a neat little handle that you can use to hang it up on the wall. Neat design if battery charging is something that you do more frequently and want to have the unit easily accessible, ready to use but out of the way off the floor.



Features:

Well, I haven't used it extensively enough (Used only twice since I got it a month back), but here are some features that were used (and so experienced) when I used the charger:

* Shows level of charge on a battery - both in percentage as well as volts. Big readout makes it easy to read all the numbers.

* Has user selectable 2/6/10 amp charging options - good for most batteries. Would have liked a 1 amp option as well (for smaller motorcycle batteries), but then that's a different product from Schumacher. The 2 amp option, though slightly higher than recommended, worked great for the motorcycle battery though. So this unit really allows charging a wide range of batteries- for motorcycles, cars, boats. Nice to have just one charger around rather then 1 for each type of vehicle/battery.

* The electronics worked just as mentioned. Once I selected the primary amp setting, everything else was handled automatically by the charger electronics. It switched to a trickle mode charge automatically once the battery was completely charged. Neat feature, keeps your batteries from being damaged by overcharging.

* Has a desulfation mode that desulfates a battery. Of the two instances when I used this charger, it kicked into this mode on my car battery which was completely drained and was left in the completely discharged state for quite some time that resulted in sulfation in the battery. This charger automatically detected this state of the battery and desulfated it first and then automatically switched to charging mode once the battery was desulfated and accepted charge. (I will be honest with you - I don't really know the chemistry and process behind this, but I have read that sulfation can render a battery useless)

* Has a cooling fan to keep the charger cool. Not exactly whisper quiet, but not something that's louder than expected (YMMV) for the application.



Reliability:

Have only owned it for a month and used it twice, so can't really comment on long term reliability. But it has worked perfectly on the two instances I had to use it including it's "automatic" features. So, for the price (I got it when it was about 50% of MSRP at Amazon), it's one awesome, feature-rich charger.

Bought the Schumacher SSC-1000A for a "weekender" automobile that spends most the time in the garage. As obligations build up, sometimes too much time goes by between start-ups and significant drives to recharge the battery. The last time, the battery completely died... not even a dim glow of the dome light, nothing, zilch, nada. Sometimes the jumpstart devices don't have enough power to crank a very low battery, so I was looking for another type of solution. The SSC-1000A works great. It's a plug-in machine, feeding off electricity from a household outlet. It's compact and lightweight, about the size of a box of chocolates. Connect the SSC-1000A to the positive battery terminal and the ground post (on the vehicle), plug the SSC-1000A into the power outlet, and the charging process begins automatically. Walk away, and in a couple of hours you have a charged battery! There is a display that can alternate between voltage and % of battery power, as well as a selector for charging rates of 2A (slowest charge), 6A, or 10A (fastest charge.) My 0% battery was resurrected to 100% in about two hours using 6A and 10A. There is another selector to choose between regular, deep-cycle, and AGM gel cell batteries.



The Schumacher SSC-1000A works exactly as I thought and hoped it would. I am most satisfied with the purchase and highly recommend the SSC-1000A to others who might be looking for a similar solution.'

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Multi-tool - multi-max, fein

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I didn't even know this tools existed until I saw the infomercial on TV. I install interior carpentry for a living and really sat up on the couch when I saw how easily it cuts existing baseboard and door casing without tearing up the wall or beating it up with a chisel. However, I couldn't justify the obscenely high price of the Fein for a tool I thought I would rarely use, so I bought a cheap knock off version just to test it's versatility. In the one week that I had the El Cheapo before it quit, I used it to cleanly cut fascia board, T&G flooring, T-111 siding, and casing. It seemed like every time I turned around I found a new use for it. OK, now I was convinced I couldn't live without one, time to upgrade. After checking the reviews and actually handling the competitions versions at HD and Lowes, I decided to go for it get the Fein. Hands down this tool looks and feels way better than anything else I checked out. The quick blade change feature on the Fein helps justify the price, as my other tool required frequent stopping and tightening with an allen wrench. So far it has performed smoothly and competently. On the other hand I was really shocked at how cheap and flimsy the case is. What where they thinking when they designed that thing? For a couple bucks they could have designed a case more worthy of the tool. I'm used to the rugged Dewalt cases you get everytime you buy one of their tools. The price of the Fein replacement blades is also off the scale. I suggest you try Versa-Tool brand which are a good quality blade at 1/3 the price. Overall, I am pleased with the tool itself, and know from past expierence that the sting of the high price will fade over time if the tool holds up as expected. Fein FMM 250Q Select Plus MultiMaster Oscillating Detail Sander Tool Kit

This tool is the best thing since sliced bread there are so many things you can do with it, to start get over the sticker shock, if you get one and figure out how to use it you will love all the things i will do from drywall cutting to grout line cleanup for tile removal the cost is spendy for the different attachments but well worth the money if you work with your hands at all you will LOVE THIS TOOL! Thanks for making my job easier! With fein MultiMaster your next project just got easier too....

I was not sure if this tool was worth the money.It is not a cheap tool but I do like quality tooling otherwise I would not have bought it.

An absolutely perfect tool for sanding tight areas and most of all making unusual cuts that you would normally chisle out. If you spray foam a window and have the expansion rate surprise u and expand to much. This tool is perfect to trim the stuff off while not damaging the wood under it. I would recommend it to a friend.

My only complaint is the cost of the saw blades, when u break a blade and tell the customer what the new blade costs , they think u r robbing them.

Brian - Flush Cut - Multi-max - Fein - Fein Multimaster'

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staple removers - staple removers

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I needed a useful stapler remover for my classroom. Boy do I use staples on my walls (the newer schools all have walls you can staple into yet remove later and it still looks the same....no marks). The problem is to nicely remove them. This product works just as stated. Why spend more when this does it all? Pencil Grip The Classics Staple Remover (Long Handle), Assorted Colors (TPG-138) - Staple Removers'

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Backpacking - preschool, backpacking

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This backpack is so cute I can hardly stand it. But be warned that it is definitely a backpack made for toddlers, not really for school-age children. I use it mainly to cart around my 2 year-old son's toys and books in my car in case I need to keep him entertained somewhere but there is not a whole lot of room in the backpack. Skip Hop Zoo Pack Little Kid Backpack, Owl

This bag is super cute and seems well-made but it is small... I bought it for preschool for my 4-year old but I would say it's more appropriate for a toddler sleepover bag or something along those lines. It is much too short to fit a folder and you'd have to fold up a piece of paper or art project to fit it inside. He loves it so I think I'll keep it but I might have to buy a different one for preschool. If I had bought it as a toddler carryabout bag I would have given it 5 stars for that purpose!

The backpack itself is adorable. I got it for my daughter who is in Kindergarten and she loves it. The only problem, and it is a significant one, is that it's not big enough to hold a single standard 8.5"x11" size folder. Which is quite disappointing for both of us. She really wants to wear it to school, but can't because her homework folder won't fit. If they would have made it just a couple of inches larger, the folder would fit perfectly and it would probably be the best backpack ever. That couple of inches difference makes it unusable for us.



If you don't need to fit anything in there that's as large as an unfolded sheet of standard size paper in there, I would recommend this backpack.

The size is just right for my two year old. Don't fill it too full or they may topple over! It fits a lot. We took it on a road trip and filled it up with DVDs and CDs and books. It worked perfectly and was cute to boot!

I love this cute little back pack. My son is 1 and we use it to carry his daily supplies back and forth to daycare and as a substitute diaper bag. He likes the bright colors and he knows it's his bag. We get lots of compliments on it where ever we go. It's the perfect size for a toddler and the straps are adjustable. It's sturdy and well made, and though it's on the small side, it holds just the right amount of stuff, (which for us is a lot since I'm an over-packer anyway). The name-tag inside didn't bleed and run when I wrote my son's name on it like most fabric tags do. The front pocket is great for the things you need more frequently like kleenux, and small toys, and it has a loop you can hook your keys onto. The side pouch is the perfect fit for a sippy cup. I so glad I got this; I just ordered the matching lunchbox and if I'm half as happy with it as I am with this backpack I'll be really pleased.



Two weeks after I posted this review, and after barely 2 months of use, the zipper for the main compartment broke. I was heartbroken. I searched everywhere for the receipt so I could call for a possible replacement, but no luck. I spent an hour trying to repair it, which to my amazement, I eventually did, but now I feel that it's fragile and I'm waiting for it to break again. So I wanted to add this warming. Do not over-pack and stretch the zipper, it's only plastic and will stretch and bend. Keep an eye on the teeth as you can see them separating and that is your warning of impending breakage.



I know this is made for little kids, but if I was the maker of this product I think that I would use a metal zipper for the main compartment as they are stronger and can take a lot more abuse than a plastic one.



I still love and would recommend this product, I'd just be a little more careful with it.



It's now been 9 months since I repaired the zipper and I haven't had a single problem with it since then. And, we LOVE the lunch box just as much as the backpack.

Skip Hop and Amazon are both very specific re: the uses and dimensions of this backpack. At less than 12x 12 in and 4 inches deep, I don't know how you would expect it to work for school. People probably saw how cute it is and just figured it would magically work for that purpose just because they wanted it to. Isn't that enough? Why should they have to let the facts get in the way? That being said, at just under $20 the price is a little high for what it is able to be used for.



See the information below:



From Skip Hop:

Dog Zoo Pack

Guardian's Guide:



* Ages: 3 and up.

* Warranty: Lifetime Warranty for the Original Owner



Ideal for:



* Who: Kids ages 2 and up.

* What: Toting toys and snacks.

* Where: The playground, around town, and at the airport.





From Amazon:



Product Details

Color: Dog



* Product Dimensions: 10 x 4 x 11.5 inches ; 1 pounds

I bought the dog backpack for my two year old son. He's about 35" tall and it's still slightly big for him, but at least it will last him a while. It's absolutely adorable and it's perfect for short trips. It holds a few diapers, some wipes, a toy and a snack with no problem. One of my favorite features is the cupholder on the side for sippy cups. I was initially a little worried about the material because it is so light in color. I figured it would be filthy in no time, but to my surprise, it wipes clean very easily. I looked at a lot of toddler backpacks before I bought this one and I'm happy with my purchase.

This little backpack is perfect toddler size, and gender neutral -- a big plus for us! The owl is just as cute in real life as in the photos, and the fabrication is excellent. Feels durable and well made, which is a must for rough-playing kids. I especially love the metallic leaf zipper pulls: such a nice touch. The side pocket has a toggle to secure a water bottle or sippy. We love this backpack!

After receiving this backpack I realized that the red areas and polkadots are actually a very bright pink! It is not the same color in the picture, but the quality is good. I will return for a different style/color that my son can use too. - Backpacking - Kids Backpacks - Skip Hop - Preschool'

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